Kerala-based institute to preserve Ayurveda

An institute dedicated to documenting traditional beauty therapies and Ayurveda-based systems of healing and fitness was opened in October. It will also teach courses in Ayurveda, yoga and homeopathy. The Indian Institute of Spa Management and Research (IISRM) will be set up at a cost of Rs. 15 crore. It will work in areas of traditional and natural therapies in India and abroad. The institute will work on sourcing, collating and documenting beauty traditions and traditional beauty therapies and will constitute the governing and advisory council in association with the department of tourism for conducting the various programmes. The state-owned Kerala State Women’s Development Corporation will also help in the new venture.